Hino and DENSO develop the world’s first electric refrigerator system for heavy-duty trucks powered by a hybrid unit
31 January 2014
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Hino Profia with an electric refrigerator system. Click to enlarge. |
Hino Motors, Ltd., a Toyota Group company, and DENSO Corporation have jointly developed the first electric refrigerator system for heavy-duty trucks using a hybrid unit. This system is being applied in the Hino Profia, which will be released on 1 February in Japan; Hino is targeting annual sales of 180 units.
Hybrid trucks conventionally use energy generated from hybrid systems to assist the vehicle’s driving. However, this new truck uses energy from hybrid unit only for the new electric refrigeration system. The compact and light-weight hybrid unit—also applied in the Hino Dutro Hybrid (Hino 300 outside of Japan)—was optimized as an energy source for this new refrigerator. With the combination of Hino’s hybrid powertrain system technology and DENSO’s electric refrigerator system technology, the two companies have developed a high-quality refrigerator system that helps improve fuel economy, improves refrigeration performance, and is quieter when operating.
Heavy-duty refrigerated trucks typically require an auxiliary engine or need to use their main engine power to operate the compressor of the refrigerator. The newly developed electric refrigerator system uses energy generated while driving or regenerated energy from the hybrid unit to operate the refrigerator’s compressor. This substantially reduces the amount of fuel normally used to drive the engine to operate the compressor.
Compared to refrigerated trucks that use an auxiliary engine to operate the compressor, the new system is quieter, and contributes to an approximately 150 kg (331 lb) weight reduction because it does not need an auxiliary engine.
In addition, compared with those having the main engine-driven compressor system, the new truck can operate the refrigeration compressor at a constant rotational speed using the energy supplied from hybrid system, which stabilizes the refrigeration performance and quality regardless if the truck is moving or stopped.
Trucks with main engine-driven compressor systems need to have separate refrigerator components in the engine compartment, under the floor panel, and in other places. The new truck, in contrast, uses a new integrated refrigeration unit that includes an electric compressor, condenser, and other devices. This simplified structure uses fewer tubes and wires and also is easier to maintain.
The new refrigerator system includes a stand-by unit that can be connected to an external 200-volt power source so the refrigerator temperature can be maintained while the engine off for a long period of time. The stand-by unit also has a timer function, which can pre-freeze the refrigerator room without the driver’s operation. This helps reduce fuel consumption and manpower costs.
The Hino Profia with an electric refrigerator system reduces the amount of fuel required to operate its refrigerator. The truck also features a specially designed wind deflector not only to improve its aerodynamic performance, but also to optimally control airflow to increase the radiation performance of the condenser while reducing the air resistance while the truck is moving and increase the refrigeration efficiency.
The new truck’s fuel efficiency exceeds Japan’s 2015 fuel efficiency standards by 5%. Moreover, as standard features, the Hino Profia has advanced safety systems including an enhanced pre-crash safety system (PCS) designed to support drivers to prevent rear-end collision with vehicle in motion ahead, a lane-departure warning system that issues an alarm at a more appropriate timing, and a driver monitoring system that provides more precise detection.
This is one more demonstration that energy can be used more efficiently. Soon, fully electrified refrigerated trucks using FCEV technology and 5-5-5 batteries will operate quietly, cleanly and even more efficiently.
By the way, Japan has closed its 50 NPP, continued to live without them by reducing their normal e-energy consumption by 33%. Over 79% do not want those 50 NPP to return to normal operation.
That is a good example that wasted e-energy can be reduced enough to operate future BEVs abd FCEVs.
Posted by: HarveyD | 31 January 2014 at 07:34 AM